Cleaning of the Great Buddha (Daibutsu Ominugui)
Nara Aug.7
Imagine how much dust would accumulate if you
didn't clean for a year and you'll have some idea how dusty the
largest bronze statue in Japan is going to be. The annual cleaning
and dusting down of the Great Buddha of Nara — also known as
Daibutsu — is no easy task.
Measuring a whopping 16 meters, it takes many
hours and some 230 people including priests to get this blackened
figure sitting on a lotus leaf to shine like brand new. The cleaners
have to climb all over Buddha to be able to polish the hands and
feet and ride in baskets hung from the ceiling in order to clean
its head. This giant 8th century Buddha has had its fair share of
knocks over the years. In the ninth century, the head toppled off
in an earthquake and twice the hands were destroyed by fire.
Todai-ji, was founded by Emperor Shomu (724-729),
and it was his wish that it should be a national temple as well
as an offering to appease Buddha after a smallpox epidemic. It is
a World Heritage Site, and the main hall, Daibutsu-den, is the largest
wooden structure in the world and was built to house the Daibutsu.
Impressive and colossal in size it may be, but on this particular
morning you won't be able to see the Great Buddha for the dust.
Todai-ji
Timings: 7:00-11:00 (Cleaning already started in the early hours,
open to the public at 7:00)
Getting there: From Nara JR/Kintetsu station
bus to Daibustuden or 10mins walk
Admission: ¥500
Tel: 0742-22-5511
Koshien
Hyogo Aug.7-21
The world may be watching the Olympics, but in
Kansai it's baseball fever, as all eyes are turned in on this 14-day
amateur event. This tournament is not simply about baseball, this
is where dreams are made or shattered, where regional pride glows
bright and scouts are quick to sign up the best players for the
professional teams.
It all begins with the opening ceremony, a grand parade headed by
last year's winning team. After the speeches and the music, the
cheerleaders entertain with their athletic stunts and pyramid act.
Once the games start there is not a moment of silence as each team
is cheered on — almost to the point of hysteria — by their
school who have come equipped with their own cheerleaders and musical
accompaniment.
The finals are a bitter-sweet affair, as the victors
leave happy and smiling, the losing team breaks down in tears. No
problem if you can't get down to the stadium to see the action live,
as NHK covers the whole event from start to finish.
Hanshin Koshien Stadium, Hyogo
Opening ceremony: August 7 at 9:00am • Timings: From 8:30am
Getting there: Koshien station on the Hanshin line.
Admission: Gaya seats are free. Tickets: From ¥500.
Tel: 06-6201-8220
Daimonji —Gozan Bonfires
Kyoto Aug.16
Kyoto has five mountains and a huge Bon fire is
lit on each one, hence the name,
Go-zan, to mark the end of the Bon Festival. It is said that during
Obon the souls of ancestors return to this world and the fires are
lit to illuminate their path back to the other world. Prayer sticks
together with bundles of firewood, pine needles and straw are set
alight to represent the Chinese characters: dai, myo, ho, dai, funagata
and toriigata. (myo-ho are lit on the west and east of Mt. Matsugasaki
respectively).
It takes around 30 minutes for the fires to burn out during which
time a dark summer night in Kyoto is transformed into a blazingly
bright evening.
The Dai Fire: Mt.
Nyoigadake, Higashiyama — lit at 20:00
Vantage point: Bank of the Kamo river, between Kojin and Misono-bashi
bridges
The Myo Fire: Mt. Matsugasaki, Nishiyama
— lit at 20:10
Vantage point: Kitayama street near Notre Dame Women's College
The Ho Fire: Mt. Matsugasaki, Higashiyama
— lit at 20:10
Vantage point: Bank of the Takano river
At 21:00 Bon dances are performed at the base of the Myo-Ho mountains.
The left Dai Fire: On Okitayama —
Lit at 20:15
Vantage point: Nishioji Street, between Saiin and Kinkaku temple
The Funagata Fire: Mt. Nishigamo, Myokenzan
— lit at 20:15
A traditional Buddhist dance is performed after the fire.
Vantage point: Kitayama street, northwest of Kitayama Ohashi Bridge
The Torii Fire: Mt. Mandara-yama, in
Saga-toriimoto — lit at 20:20
Vantage point: Matsuo-bashi Bridge
The best place to see all fires are the roof tops
of city hotels. (Admission: Free)
Getting there: Bus from JR Kyoto station to your chosen vantage
spot.
Tel: 075-752-0225
Gangara Fire Festival
Osaka
 Gangara
is an event that has been held for over 350 years. Torches 4 meters
long are paraded through the streets of Ikeda City, an industrial
and residential suburb of Osaka. The torchlight procession goes
up Atago Shrine, on Mount Satsuki, ending at the park in front of
Ikeda station at 20:30. On the same evening, the Dai-monji and Dai-ichimonji
fires are lit on the south and west side of the mount. These fires
are considered sacred and represent prayers for inner composure
and world peace. 'Dai' means great or big, 'monji' means a letter/character,
coupled with 'ichi', it reads, great one.
IKEDA CITY
Getting there: Ikeda station on the Hankyu Takarazuka line.
Timings: From 19:00
Tel: 072-750-3333
Events compiled by Mylene Oishi
Kansai Event Listings
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August 1
Grandiva
An all male comedy ballet company that sets out to make you
laugh and enjoy the magic of dance. The troupe consists of
19 professional dancers, a ballet master, and an artistic
director. They have performed in over 70 cities and
will perform Divalympics 2004 in Kansai to coincide with some
other Olympics taking place in Athens.
@ Kobe Kokusai Kaikan
18:00. ¥5,500yen/¥7,500yen
3mins from Sannomiya Stn.
Tel: 078-231-8162
August 1 & 7
Grand Yokkaichi Festival
A colorful event featuring a parade with the famous onyudo
float and traditional Bon dancing, with various events under
the name Citizens Evening.
@ Yokkaichi,Mie
Near JR/Kintetsu Yokkaichi stations
Tel: 0593-54-8178
August 1 & 7
Ishitori Festival
Known as the loudest festival in Japan. The whole town ring
bells and hit taiko drums while more than 40 floats parade.
@ Kasuga Shrine, Kuwana City, Mie
10mins walk from Kuwana JR station.
Tel: 0594-22-1913
August 5-15
Toka-e
Last year over 750,000 people descend-ed on Nara to see this
fantastic lantern festival. Over 3,000 lanterns are lit at
the most scenic spots in Nara Park, surrounded by world heritages.
@ Nara Park
19:00-21:45. Bus or walk from Nara JR/Kintetsu station.
www.toukae.jp http://www.toukae.jp
Tel: 0742-21-7515
August 7-8
Summer Sonic 2004
It's all about music & sounds. According to the organizer,
many big rock bands and artists will join this exciting event.
@ Intex Osaka
11:00. ¥13,000/1day. ¥24,000/2days
New Tram Nakafudo Stn.
Tel: 06-6233-8799
August 7-10
Gojo Pottery Festival
As part of the preparations for Obon, families throughout
the country replace the ceramic dishes used on the ancestral
altar with new ones. This massive outdoor ceramic event extends
down both sides of Gojo Street between the Kamogawa River
and Higashioji.
@ Gojo Street, Kyoto
9:00-23:00. Bus from Kyoto to Gojozaka
Tel: 075-541-1161
August 8, 15 & 29
Dance Championship
Watch dancers burn the floor at the hottest dance championship
in Kansai, organized by OCAT. Dancers from 8 years old and
over, as a pair or in a group will give their best performance
not only to try and clinch the winning prize money, but to
have fun too. They will be judged on their dance technique,
fashion and presentation.
@ OCAT Ponte Hiroba
15:00. Namba JR station
Tel: 06-6538-0181
August 14 & 15
Lantern Lighting
A chance to see the 2,000 stone lanterns and 1,000 bronze
hanging lanterns lit up at this shrine to brighten the dark
summer evenings. Court dancing known as Bugaku and Kagura
are performed in the apple garden. On 15th, the Daimon-ji
Bon fire is lit on Mt. Takamado, where the longest stroke
of the dai character measures 164 meters.
@ Kasuga Taisha, Nara
19:00. Bus from Nara JR/Kintetsu stn.
Tel: 0742-22-3900
August 15 & 16
Dekansyo Festival
This is now one of the biggest local folk festival in Japan
even though it only started in 1953. The festival celebrates
the locale for being the cradle of deka-nsyo-bushi, a melody
sung throughout Japan since the middle of the Meiji Era.
@ Sasayma City, Hyogo
Sasayama-guchi stn - JR Fukuchiyama
Tel: 0795-52-0758
August 17
Prized Painting
It has just been announced that Kansai artist, Takaaki Hiramoto
has won the prize in the 'Societe des Artistes Francais Contest'
in Paris, France. This is the third time he has won and now
becomes a full member of the prestigious, Le Salon, Paris.
His work will be on display
@ Art gallery in Ito-yo-kado, Nara
Bus from JR/Kintestu Nara station
Tel: 0742-36-7111
August 21-28
Summer on Rokko Island
Various summer events will take place involving all the family.
Six hundred lanterns made by children will be lit to brighten
the dark evenings. There will be traditional music, concerts
and various entertainments. Grand parade on 28th.
@ Rokko Island River Mall Park, Kobe
11:00 onwards. 2mins from Kobe Liner 'Island Center' station.
Tel: 078-857-0677
August 24-29
Art Of Living: Part-1 Course
Experential course that includes powerful breathing technique
— SUDARSHAN KRIYA.
@ KITA CREO OSAKA
Hankyu Kyoto Line/ Senri Line. Awaji stn.
24th-27th: 7:00pm to 9:00pm
28th: 1:00pm to 5:00pm
29th: 9:30 am to 12:00pm
http://www.artofliving.org
aolkobe@yahoo.com
Tel: 078-942-8004 / 090-1913-3229
August 28-29
Kobe Collection 2004
A fashion fair: clothes, cosmetics, designer goods accessories
and more. There will be a fashion show and a party on 28th
with special guests from the fashion industry, artists and
models.
@ Kobe Fashion Mart on Rokko Island
13:00-19:00. 6mins from Shinomiya stn.
http://kobe-collection.com/
Tel: 06-6233-8888
September 5
SEPTEMBER SKY
International Outdoor Festival
World Music, Dance, Cultral Events, Food and Drinks. Flea
Market. Art and Cultural Exhibitions. Custom Bike Show. Family
Fun for everyone and much more!!
@ Minatomachi Riverplace (Namba)
12:00-21:00. Free Admission.
Tel: 06-6538-0601/ 090-2598-9795 Artist, flea market vendor,
sponsor and volunteer staff inquiries are welcome.
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